Now it is in the top four, Port Adelaide wants to stay there come AFL finals

PORT defender Tom Jonas says Sunday’s win against the West Coast Eagles sends a strong statement to the rest of the compeition.

Sam Powell-Pepper and Matthew Lobbe at Port training. Picture Sarah Reed

PORT Adelaide wants to carry a top-four ranking to the AFL finals in September – and it does not care if the Power’s credibility continues to be questioned by not having a top-eight scalp.

Port Adelaide defender Tom Jonas yesterday highlighted how the debate on the Power’s standing in the premiership race has echoed at Alberton by saying: “If we finish top four and don’t beat a top-eight side we will not give a s....”

Port Adelaide reclaimed fourth spot – and advanced its season win-loss count to 9-6 – by beating West Coast by 32 points at Subiaco Oval in Perth on Sunday. At the start of round 15, the Eagles were ranked seventh – and the Power fifth.

At the start of Sunday’s game, West Coast had fallen to ninth – practically denying the Power a top-eight scalp. But Jonas expects the merit – and method – of Port Adelaide’s comeback win at Subiaco to underline the Power’s right to be considered a serious flag contender.

“Any win in the west sends a very strong statement,” Jonas said at Yatala Labour Prison yesterday as the Power claimed a $40,000 State Government grant to work a community program in jails.

“Unfortunately, it turned out that win was not against a top-eight side … so it does not dispel the myth. But any win over there (in Perth) is a strong result. And it was the way we did it that was an even stronger message.

“All we can do is win the games in front of us – and get the four points each week.”

Jonas labels the Power’s win against the Eagles – while being challenged to respond after the 13-point home loss to Richmond at Adelaide Oval – as telling note on the strength of the playing group after having its reputation questioned, particularly on top of missing AFL finals in 2015 and 2016.

Port Adelaide’s Mathew Broadbent and Karl Amon train yesterday. Picture: Sarah Reed

“We definitely showed a bit of resilience – more than we have seen at any other time of the year,” Jonas said.

“We conceded seven goals in 35 minutes – and fought back to be level at three quarter-time before finishing off the game (with an eight-goal last quarter).

“That is our best win of the year.”

Port Adelaide will not have the chance to claim that much-noted top-eight scalp when it hosts 17th-ranked North Melbourne (4-11) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.

“They lost a close one at the weekend,” said Jonas taking note of the mood of the Kangaroos who have never played the Power at Adelaide Oval – and not faced Port Adelaide in Adelaide since May 2012.

“So we do not want to get ahead of ourselves or be complacent, not when they have talented players in their squad and a threatening midfield.”

Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper and Riley Bonner yesterday. Picture Sarah Reed

Jonas has set “consistency and kicking more goals than the opposition” as the Power’s theme in the demanding run to September with the goalkicking yips seemingly solved with an 18.12 return at Subiaco on Sunday.

“Kicking goals does make a difference,” Jonas said. “Our forwards have worked really hard (on their goalkicking) and maybe there was a lag in getting that to pay off (particularly after a costly 8.15 against Richmond).”

Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent, who has missed two of the past three games with an ankle injury, was on light duties at training on Tuesday.

“He will push for selection this week; there is no doubt he will be fine,” Jonas said.

POWER PLAYERS TO HELP PRISONERS

PORT Adelaide footballers have often heard about how they have “got out of jail” in a tight AFL game. Now they will be going to jails to help prisoners on their paths from behind bars.

The Port Adelaide Football Club has taken up a $40,000 grant from the State government to deliver its “well being and resilience” program to as many as 200 prisoners in nine of SA’s correctional facilities.

The aim of the program is to help prisoners adjust on their return to society and to avoid re-offending.

Correctional Services Minister Peter Malinauskas announced the deal with the AFL club at Yatala Labour Prison on Tuesday with Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas.

Port Adelaide’s Billy Frampton and Tom Jonas at Yatala Prison yesterday.

Malinauskas described the $40,000 grant as a “modest investment” in the Port Adelaide Football Club’s expertise in mentoring young footballers in coping with major life-changing challenges in entering the high-profile AFL sporting scene. The Power already works the program with the defence forces.

Port Adelaide players and staff will spend 90 minutes at each of the SA jails delivering the program in partnership with the SA Health and Medical Research Institute.

The State government has set a target of reducing the number of prisoners who re-offend and return to jails by 10 per cent by 2020.

“The Port Adelaide Football Club is a great example of community leadership,” Malinauskas said. “It has a strong, proven track record in community engagement – and leadership.

“The State government wants to watch and learn from the Port Adelaide Football Club so we can do more to help prisoners avoid re-offending. There is far more prisoners will take note from leaders in the sporting community than they would from politicians or prison officers.”

The State government has no plan currently to engage other high-profile sporting groups or clubs in the program.

Minister for Correctional Services Peter Malinauskas and Port Adelaide FC CEO Keith Thomas at Yatala Prison yesterday. Picture: AAP

Thomas described the Power’s move of its community programs from schools and the military to the prison system as a “challenge”.

“We’re proud as a football club of what we have achieved in schools and with the Australian Defence Force with a program that highlights the power of positive thinking, resilience and well-being,” Thomas said.

“We are now adapt the program to add some value to those who face the challenge of moving from prison life to return to society, challenges such as re-connecting with family or finding a job.”

Young Port Adelaide ruckman Billy Frampton made his first visit to a prison on Tuesday to be part of the program announcement at Yatala.

“When football is all consuming, you do get a different perspective on life and what people go through here in prison,” Frampton said. “If we can help make a positive difference, it is certainly worthwhile.”